Exposure to carcinogenic agents in the workplace can sometimes cause occupational cancers. Occupational exposure to a carcinogen causes over 5000 new cases of workplace cancer in Australia each year. The International Agency for Research on Cancers have identified of over 160 cancer causing agents. As a result of exposure, symptoms include radiation, metals, dusts, industrial chemicals, asbestos and diesel engine exhausts.
The Australian working population revealed that the most common carcinogenic exposures in the workplace were diesel engine exhaust, second-hand tobacco smoke, solar ultraviolet radiation, benzene, lead and silica. The greatest exposure to occupational groups were drivers, miners, farmers and transport workers.
Common Types
The five most common workplace cancers in the workplace for men are mesothelioma, bronchus and lung, nose and nasal sinus, leukaemia and bladder. The six most common workplace cancers in the workplace for women are mesothelioma, nose and nasal sinus, cervix, stomach, bronchus, lung and liver.
The only way to reduce your cancer risk at work is by putting in place control measures for carcinogenic hazards. Therefore, you should always follow the outlined safe work practices at your workplace. Depending on the task, it will have different prevention methods which can include natural ventilation, local exhausts or rotating jobs. When it comes to ventilation or local exhausts, WDIS can help. We specialise in dust and fume control systems.
For More Information
Fact sheets around various occupational carcinogens are available and have been designed for both employers and employees by the Cancer Council. In short, they provide some information about workplace cancer risks are provided. They also talk about how you can control them, legal obligations and most importantly, where you can go for more information.
Please contact Cancer Council on 13 11 20 if you are concerned about possible cancer-causing agents in your workplace. Please share this page If you know someone who might be exposed to a carcinogen at work.
